Disaster Ministry

Hurricane Relief

In light of the extreme damage from hurricanes in the southeast, area United Methodists are providing relief efforts.

It is very important that your collection efforts be accounted for with the BWC and UMCOR. Please take a moment to complete this form.

Interested in volunteering? Sign up to learn more.

Buckets and supplies may be dropped off at the following Hubs:

Bentley Springs UMC
421 Bentley Road
Parkton, MD 21120
HUB Coordinator: Fred Sipes, 410-967-9134  

St. Matthews UMC (Individuals are asked to call the church at (301) 262-1408 and leave a message.  A member of the team will schedule a time to meet with them.)
14900 Annapolis Road
Bowie, MD 20715
HUB Coordinator: Bob Fuller, 202-498-0567

Calvary UMC
403 S Main St, Mt Airy, MD 21771
Hub Coordinator: Megan McCulley
Drop offs of kits and buckets are welcome Monday-Friday, 1:30-5:30pm. Individuals should call the church office at 301-829-0358 to confirm that they are coming.

Mays Chapel UMC
11911 Jenifer Road
Timonium, MD 21093
HUB Coordinator: Curt Wilson 
Call 443-845-9277 or 703-402-8200 to arrange a time to drop off your donation.

Limited drop off at the Mission Center in Fulton – individuals should email with the number of buckets and type (ex: 25 buckets and 100 hygiene kits) and what day/time they wish to drop off.  Someone will confirm within 24 hours.

  • UMCOR Sager Brown is a disaster relief supply depot located in Baldwin, Louisiana. Each year, more than 2,000 volunteers prepare approximately $4 million in relief supplies for shipment from the UMCOR Sager Brown Depot in response to disasters in the United States. Annual Conferences in the impacted areas are able to request supplies and materials from the Depot.  These supplies are provided by United Methodist Churches and community partners year round.  Right now, there is more demand than there is supply.  Please make kits today!!!  Our help is needed.

    Donate to Sager Brown through the Advance:  #901440 (Supplies and Materials)  OR #901515 (General).  Please know that supporting the general fund supports rising costs of shipping materials to various parts of the country.
  • Kit Packing Events coming soon –want to support survivors but your church can’t do it alone.  We hear you!!!  Luckily, we are a connectional church and #InMinistryTogether.
    Large-scale packing events are under development.  Check back soon for full details.
    • Frostburg University – Cumberland-Hagerstown District
    • Eastern United Methodist Church – Baltimore-Metro District
  • ERT Training/Recertification - One class has been scheduled others may be added as we have demand/requests. 

We have not been invited to deploy.  Please sign up for training so you are prepared and equipped to serve when the time comes.  Do Not self-deploy. 

The Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference has a robust Disaster Ministry that provides individuals and local churches the opportunity to serve as the hands and feet of God for those impacted by natural or man-made disasters locally and around the world.

EARLY RESPONSE TEAMS

When disaster strikes, United Methodists provide on the ground support to help those in need. Early Response Teams, ERTs, are trained members of United Methodist churches that deploy to support in areas of need.  Locally, the Baltimore-Washington Conference trains and deploys Early Response Teams to assist in relief, recovery, and rebuilding efforts locally and around the world.

These Early Response Teams (ERT) serve in the early days after a disaster to provide a Christian presence to support survivors.  These trained servants also perform damage assessments, clean up, debris removal, and take measures to prevent further damage. ERT members are not first responders. All deployments are coordinated efforts and require an invitation by the host annual conference Episcopacy Office.  ERTs do not self-deploy without the invitation.

To serve on an Early Response Team, members complete an eight-hour basic certification course and a background check.  Upon completion of this training, individuals receive an official identification card from UMCOR which allows access to disaster sites during times of deployment.  Every three years after certification, team members attend a four-hour re-certification course to learn new techniques/guidelines, along with completing a new background check. 

Training is offered in various locations throughout the year.  Please contact the BWC Disaster Response Coordinator, Pastor Fred Sipes, or call him at 410-967-9134 for the most recent training opportunities or to answer your questions.

DISASTER HUBS

The BWC also operates two Disaster Relief Hubs, where cleaning buckets with relief supplies are collected. These hubs extend the reach and service opportunities of Mission Central, located in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. Together, this connection of sites work to “Connect God’s Resources with Human Need.” In 2021, Mission Central served more than 5.4 million people with resources valued at more than $17.3 million.

Several times throughout the year, there is a request for local churches to assist in ensuring these essential resources are available.  The lists below can help you to respond to the call for help.

UMCOR Cleaning Bucket UMCOR Flood Bucket

 Within the BWC, supplies can be taken to:

BENTLEY SPRINGS HUB

421 Bentley Road
Parkton, MD 21120
HUB Coordinator: Fred Sipes, 410-967-9134 

Calvary UMC in Mt. Airy

403 S Main St, Mt Airy, MD 21771
Hub Coordinator: Megan McCulley

ST. MATTHEWS UMC HUB 

14900 Annapolis Road
Bowie, MD 20715
HUB Coordinator: Bob Fuller, 202-498-0567

UNITED METHODIST COMMITTEE ON RELIEF (UMCOR)

As part of the General Board of Global Ministries, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to alleviating human suffering around the globe.  UMCOR helps communities left vulnerable by disaster, working alongside United Methodist churches and local partners to address immediate needs, as well as achieve sustainable recovery.  In the short-term, UMCOR provides funds to our partners to distribute food, hygiene supplies, shelter and other basic needs to ease human suffering. In the long-term, we work with local partners towards recovery and reconstruction.

All funds donated to UMCOR assist in resourcing ERT teams across the denomination, issuing financial support to partner organizations providing critical support and directly serving the needs of survivors, both locally and abroad.  Consider supporting UMCOR Sunday which is typically the 4th Sunday of Lent.  This annual day of giving provides resources to undergird the operational costs associated with operating this incredible organization.  If you would like to make a donation, visit UMCOR Areas of Impact - Giving.

MAKE A PLAN

In the event of disaster in this region, the Baltimore-Washington Conference operates in accordance to processes and protocols established by the BWC Disaster Response Manual.

FEMA, an UMCOR partner, provides the resource Guide for Developing High-Quality Emergency Operations Plans for Houses of Worship.  Consider creating a plan for your local congregation. 

OTHER RESOURCES

• Faith-Based Community Self-Assessment User Guide
• House of Worship Security Assessment
• Make A Plan

The FEMA App is your personalized disaster resource, so you feel empowered and ready to take charge of any disaster life throws your way.  

Download today on iOS or Android.